PENGASSAN commences strike as talks with government hold today

The extension of public holiday to mark the end of fasting by one day was responsible for the shifting of the parley between the Federal Government and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the on-going industrial action by the union.

Meanwhile, The Guardian learnt that the decision of the oil workers to begin the strike action yesterday (Thursday) early morning hours was because of the negotiation, which could not hold as earlier scheduled.

Deputy Director (Press) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, said in Abuja yesterday that the meeting would now hold today at the boardroom of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources at the NNPC Towers.

He quoted both the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige as appealing to the entire leadership of PENGASSAN to stay action on the strike in view of ongoing negotiations and in the spirit of social dialogue.

However, the union said yesterday that the action had already commenced with the gradual withdrawal of its members on the offshore, loading bays and flow stations.

PENGASSAN National Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojugbana, said: “There is no iota of truth in the report that the strike has been called off or suspended. As we are speaking now, some of our members that are in the offshore have been withdrawn, while others who are on critical equipment have commenced gradual shutting down of such equipment before their final disengagement. Our members, especially those in offices and downstream sector will join tomorrow (Friday) as they resume from the Eid el Fitri holiday.”

Ojugbana listed some of the issues in dispute to include the lingering irregular Joint Venture funding and cash call payment arrears, lack of a clear-cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), among others.